Solvent treatment of fabric articles

ABSTRACT

Solvent treatment methods for treating fabric articles, more particularly it relates to oxygenated solvent treatment methods are provided by the present invention.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSerial No. 60/342,709 filed Dec. 20, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to solvent treatment methods fortreating fabric articles, more particularly it relates to oxygenatedsolvent treatment methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The use of solvents to treat fabric articles, especially in drycleaning applications, is well known. For example, perchloroethylene(“PERC”), the most common solvent used, has been used by dry cleanersfor decades. However, with the environmental problems associated withPERC, there is a need to identify alternative solvents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention fulfills the needs described above byproviding a solvent that is environmentally preferred that can be usedin solvent treatment methods for treating fabric articles.

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a method for treating afabric article in need of treatment comprising contacting the fabricarticle with a solvent that has an ozone reactivity of less than 0.30gramO₃/gram, is provided.

[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, a method for treatinga fabric article in need of treatment comprising contacting the fabricarticle with a solvent that has a vapor pressure of less than or equalto 0.1 mm Hg at 25° C., is provided.

[0007] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method fortreating a fabric article in need of treatment comprising contacting thefabric article with a solvent that has a vapor pressure of greater than0.1 mm Hg at 25° C. and an ozone reactivity of less than 0.30gramO₃/gram, is provided.

[0008] In still another aspect of the present invention, a fabricarticle treated by a method in accordance with the present invention isprovided.

[0009] In still yet another aspect of the present invention, a fabricarticle treating apparatus comprising a fabric article treatment chamberand a source of a solvent selected from the group consisting of solventsthat have an ozone reactivity of less than 0.30 gramO₃/gram, solventsthat have a vapor pressure of less than or equal to 0.1 mm Hg at 25° C.,solvents that have a vapor pressure greater than 0.1 mm Hg and an ozonereactivity of less than about 0.30 gramO₃/gram, and mixtures thereof.

[0010] Accordingly, the present invention provides solvent treatmentmethods for treating fabric articles that are environmentally preferred,fabric articles treated by such methods and fabric article treatingapparatuses in which such methods can be performed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Definitions

[0012] “Fabric article” as used herein is intended to mean any articlethat is customarily cleaned in a conventional laundry process or in adry cleaning process. As such the term encompasses articles of clothing,linen, drapery, and clothing accessories. The term also encompassesother items made in whole or in part of fabric, such as tote bags,furniture covers, tarpaulins and the like.

[0013] “Environmentally preferred” as used herein means that thesolvents and/or methods of the present invention qualify for the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency's criteria for exemption from VolatileOrganic Compound (VOC) regulations.

[0014] “Ozone Reactivity” as used herein is a measure of a VOC's abilityto form ozone in the atmosphere. It is measured as grams of ozone formedper gram of volatile organics. A methodology to determine ozonereactivity has been developed by Dr. William P. L. Carter of Universityof California, Riverside. The US EPA has used this concept to exemptseveral compounds (e.g. cyclic methylated siloxanes and methyl acetate)from VOC regulations. The State of California has developed an ozonereactivity-based regulation for VOCs in aerosol coating products.

[0015] Reference: W. P. L. Carter, “Development of Ozone ReactivityScales of Volatile Organic Compounds”, Journal of the Air & WasteManagement Association, Vol. 44, Page 881-899, 1994.

[0016] “Vapor Pressure” as used can be measured by techniques defined inMethod 310 of the California Air Resources Board.

[0017] Solvents

[0018] Suitable solvents for use in the methods and/or apparatuses ofthe present invention include, but are not limited to, carbonatesolvents, succinate solvents and/or mixtures thereof. The definition ofsolvents for use in the present invention as the primary solventexpressly excludes cyclic siloxane solvents, perfluorinated solvents andglycol ether solvents. However, such adjunct solvents may be used incombination with the solvents of the present invention.

[0019] Carbonate solvents suitable for use in the present inventioninclude, but are not limited to, methyl carbonates, ethyl carbonate,propylene carbonates, glycerine carbonates and mixtures thereof.

[0020] Succinate solvents suitable for use in the present inventioninclude, but are not limited to, dimethyl succinate.

[0021] Adjunct Solvents

[0022] Adjunct solvents may be used in combination with the solvents ofthe present invention. The adjunct solvents include, but are not limitedto, lipophilic fluids.

[0023] The lipophilic fluid herein is one having a liquid phase presentunder operating conditions of a fabric article treating appliance, inother words, during treatment of a fabric article in accordance with thepresent invention. In general such a lipophilic fluid can be fullyliquid at ambient temperature and pressure, can be an easily meltedsolid, e.g., one which becomes liquid at temperatures in the range fromabout 0 deg. C. to about 60 deg. C., or can comprise a mixture of liquidand vapor phases at ambient temperatures and pressures, e.g., at 25 deg.C. and 1 atm. pressure. Thus, the lipophilic fluid is not a compressiblegas such as carbon dioxide. It is preferred that the lipophilic fluidherein be inflammable or, have relatively high flash points and/or lowVOC characteristics, these terms having their conventional meanings asused in the dry cleaning industry, to equal or, preferably, exceed thecharacteristics of known conventional dry cleaning fluids. Moreover,suitable lipophilic fluids herein are readily flowable and nonviscous.In general, lipophilic fluids herein are required to be fluids capableof at least partially dissolving sebum or body soil as defined in thetest hereinafter. Mixtures of lipophilic fluid are also suitable, andprovided that the requirements of the Lipophilic Fluid Test, asdescribed below, are met, the lipophilic fluid can include any fractionof dry-cleaning solvents, especially newer types including fluorinatedsolvents, or perfluorinated amines. Some perfluorinated amines such asperfluorotributylamines while unsuitable for use as lipophilic fluid maybe present as one of many possible adjuncts present in the lipophilicfluid-containing composition. Other suitable lipophilic fluids include,but are not limited to, diol solvent systems e.g., higher diols such asC6- or C8- or higher diols, organosilicone solvents including bothcyclic and acyclic types, and the like, and mixtures thereof A preferredgroup of nonaqueous lipophilic fluids suitable for incorporation as amajor component of the compositions of the present invention includelow-volatility nonfluorinated organics, silicones, especially thoseother than amino functional silicones, and mixtures thereof. Lowvolatility nonfluorinated organics include for example OLEAN and otherpolyol esters, or certain relatively nonvolatile biodegradable mid-chainbranched petroleum fractions. Another preferred group of nonaqueouslipophilic fluids suitable for incorporation as a major component of thecompositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to,glycol ethers, for example propylene glycol methyl ether, propyleneglycol n-propyl ether, propylene glycol t-butyl ether, propylene glycoln-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycoln-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether, dipropylene glycoln-butyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene glycoln-propyl ether, tripropylene glycol t-butyl ether, tripropylene glycoln-butyl ether. Suitable silicones for use as a major component, e.g.,more than 50%, of the composition include cyclopentasiloxanes, sometimestermed “D5”, and/or linear analogs having approximately similarvolatility, optionally complemented by other compatible silicones.Suitable silicones are well known in the literature, see, for example,Kirk Othmer's Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, and are availablefrom a number of commercial sources, including General Electric, ToshibaSilicone, Bayer, and Dow Corning. Other suitable lipophilic fluids arecommercially available from Procter & Gamble or from Dow Chemical andother suppliers. For example, one suitable silicone is SF-1528 availablefrom GE silicone fluids. It is worth noting that SF-1528 fluid is 90%cyclopentasiloxane (D5).

[0024] Qualification of Lipophilic Fluid—Lipophilic Fluid Test (LF Test)

[0025] Any non-aqueous fluid that is both capable of meeting knownrequirements for a dry-cleaning fluid (e.g, flash point etc.) and iscapable of at least partially dissolving sebum, as indicated by the testmethod described below, is suitable as a lipophilic fluid herein. Theability of a particular material to remove sebum can be measured by anyknown technique. As a general guideline, perfluorobutylamine (FluorinertFC-43®) on its own (with or without adjuncts) is a reference materialthat, by definition, is unsuitable as the lipophilic fluid herein (it isessentially a non-solvent) while D5 dissolves sebum.

[0026] The following is the method for investigating and qualifyingother materials, e.g., other low-viscosity, free-flowing silicones, foruse as the lipophilic fluid. The method uses commercially availableCrisco® canola oil, oleic acid (95% pure, available from Sigma AldrichCo.) and squalene (99% pure, available from J. T. Baker) as model soilsfor sebum. The test materials should be substantially anhydrous and freefrom any added adjuncts, or other materials during evaluation.

[0027] Prepare three vials. Place 1.0 g of canola oil in the first; in asecond vial place 1.0 g of the oleic acid (95%), and in a third andfinal vial place 1.0 g of the squalene (99%). To each vial add 1 g ofthe fluid to be tested for lipophilicity. Separately mix at roomtemperature and pressure each vial containing the lipophilic soil andthe fluid to be tested for 20 seconds on a standard vortex mixer atmaximum setting. Place vials on the bench and allow settling for 15minutes at room temperature and pressure. If, upon standing, a singlephase is formed in any of the vials containing lipophilic soils, thenthe fluid qualifies as suitable for use as a “lipophilic fluid” inaccordance with the invention. However, if two or more separate layersare formed in all three vials, then the amount of fluid dissolved in theoil phase will need to be further determined before rejecting oraccepting the fluid as qualified.

[0028] In such a case, with a syringe, carefully extract a 200microliter sample from each layer in each vial. The syringe-extractedlayer samples are placed in GC autosampler vials and subjected toconventional GC analysis after determining the retention time ofcalibration samples of each of the three models soils and the fluidbeing tested. If more than 1% of the test fluid by GC, preferablygreater, is found to be present in any one of the layers which consistsof the oleic acid, canola oil or squalene layer, then the test fluid isalso qualified for use as a lipophilic fluid. If needed, the method canbe further calibrated using heptacosafluorotributylamine, i.e.,Fluorinert FC-43 (fail) and cyclopentasiloxane (pass).

[0029] A suitable GC is a Hewlett Packard Gas Chromatograph HP5890Series II equipped with a split/splitless injector and FID. A suitablecolumn used in determining the amount of lipophilic fluid present is aJ&W Scientific capillary column DB-1HT, 30 meter, 0.25 mm id, 0.1 μmfilm thickness cat#1221131. The GC is suitably operated under thefollowing conditions: Carrier Gas: Hydrogen Column Head Pressure: 9 psiFlows: Column Flow @ ˜1.5 ml/min. Split Vent @ ˜250-500 ml/min. SeptumPurge @ 1 ml/min. Injection: HP 7673 Autosampler, 10 ul syringe, 1 ulinjection Injector Temperature: 350° C. Detector Temperature: 380° C.Oven Temperature Program: initial 60° C., hold 1 min. rate 25° C./min.final 380° C. hold 30 min.

[0030] Typical lipophilic fluids suitable for use herein can further bequalified for use on the basis of having an excellent garment careprofile. Garment care profile testing is well known in the art andinvolves testing a fluid to be qualified using a wide range of garmentor fabric article components, including fabrics, threads and elasticsused in seams, etc., and a range of buttons. Typical lipophilic fluidsfor use herein have an excellent garment care profile, for example theyhave a good shrinkage or fabric puckering profile and do not appreciablydamage plastic buttons.

[0031] For purposes of garment care testing or other qualification,e.g., flammability, a lipophilic fluid for use in the lipophilic fluidcan be present in a mixture, e.g., with water, at approximately theratio to be used in the final lipophilic fluid which will come intocontact with fabric articles. Certain materials, which remove sebum,qualify for use as lipophilic fluids; for example, ethyl lactates can bequite objectionable in their tendency to dissolve buttons, and if such amaterial is to be used in the lipophilic fluid, it will be formulatedwith water and/or other solvents such that the overall mix is notsubstantially damaging to buttons. Other lipophilic fluids, D5 forexample, meet the garment care requirements commendably. Some suitablelipophilic fluids may be found in granted U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,865,852;5,942,007; 6,042,617; 6,042,618; 6,056,789; 6,059,845; and 6,063,135,which are herein incorporated by reference.

[0032] Lipophilic solvents can include linear and cyclic polysiloxanes,hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons. More preferred are the linearand cyclic polysiloxanes and hydrocarbons of the glycol ether, acetateester, lactate ester families. Preferred lipophilic solvents includecyclic siloxanes having a boiling point at 760 mm Hg. of below about250° C. Specifically preferred cyclic siloxanes for use in thisinvention are octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane,decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane. Itshould be understood that useful cyclic siloxane mixtures might contain,in addition to the preferred cyclic siloxanes, minor amounts of othercyclic siloxanes including hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane or higher cyclicssuch as tetradecamethylcycloheptasiloxane. Generally the amount of theseother cyclic siloxanes in useful cyclic siloxane mixtures will be lessthan about 10 percent based on the total weight of the mixture.

[0033] Adjunct Ingredients

[0034] Adjunct materials can vary widely and can be used at widelyranging levels. For example, detersive enzymes such as proteases,amylases, cellulases, lipases and the like as well as bleach catalystsincluding the macrocyclic types having manganese or similar transitionmetals all useful in laundry and cleaning products can be used herein atvery low, or less commonly, higher levels. Adjunct materials that arecatalytic, for example enzymes, can be used in “forward” or “reverse”modes, a discovery independently useful from the specific appliances ofthe present invention. For example, a lipolase or other hydrolase may beused, optionally in the presence of alcohols as adjuncts, to convertfatty acids to esters, thereby increasing their solubility in thesolvent. This is a “reverse” operation, in contrast with the normal useof this hydrolase in water to convert a less water-soluble fatty esterto a more water-soluble material. In any event, any adjunct ingredientmust be suitable for use in combination with the solvent.

[0035] The compositions may comprise emulsifiers. Emulsifiers are wellknown in the chemical art. Essentially, an emulsifier acts to bring twoor more insoluble or semi-soluble phases together to create a stable orsemi-stable emulsion. It is preferred in the claimed invention that theemulsifier serves a dual purpose wherein it is capable of acting notonly as an emulsifier but also as a treatment performance booster. Forexample, the emulsifier may also act as a surfactant thereby boostingcleaning performance. Both ordinary emulsifiers andemulsifier/surfactants are commercially available.

[0036] Some suitable cleaning additives include, but are not limited to,builders, surfactants, enzymes, bleach activators, bleach catalysts,bleach boosters, bleaches, alkalinity sources, antibacterial agents,colorants, perfumes, pro-perfumes, finishing aids, lime soapdispersants, composition malodor control agents, odor neutralizers,polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents, crystal growth inhibitors,photobleaches, heavy metal ion sequestrants, anti-tarnishing agents,anti-microbial agents, anti-oxidants, anti-redeposition agents, soilrelease polymers, electrolytes, pH modifiers, thickeners, abrasives,divalent or trivalent ions, metal ion salts, enzyme stabilizers,corrosion inhibitors, diamines or polyamines and/or their alkoxylates,suds stabilizing polymers, solvents, process aids, fabric softeningagents, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, suds or foam suppressors, sudsor foam boosters, fabric softeners, antistatic agents, dye fixatives,dye abrasion inhibitors, anti-crocking agents, wrinkle reduction agents,wrinkle resistance agents, soil release polymers, soil repellencyagents, sunscreen agents, anti-fade agents, and mixtures thereof.

[0037] The term “surfactant” conventionally refers to materials that aresurface-active either in the water, the lipophilic fluid, or the mixtureof the two. Some illustrative surfactants include nonionic, cationic andsilicone surfactants as used in conventional aqueous detergent systems.Suitable nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to:

[0038] a) Polyethylene oxide condensates of nonyl phenol and myristylalcohol, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,930 Kasprzak; and

[0039] b) fatty alcohol ethoxylates, R—(OCH₂CH₂)_(a)OH a=1 to 100,typically 12-40, R=hydrocarbon residue 8 to 20 C atoms, typically linearalkyl. Examples polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, with 4 or 23 oxyethylenegroups; polyoxyethylene cetyl ether with 2, 10 or 20 oxyethylene groups;polyoxyethylene stearyl ether, with 2, 10, 20, 21 or 100 oxyethylenegroups; polyoxyethylene (2), (10) oleyl ether, with 2 or 10 oxyethylenegroups. Commercially available examples include, but are not limited to:ALFONIC, BRIJ, GENAPOL, NEODOL, SURFONIC, TRYCOL. See also U.S. Pat. No.6,013,683 Hill et al.,.

[0040] Suitable cationic surfactants include, but are not limited todialkyldimethylammonium salts having the formula:

R′R″N⁺(CII₃)₂X⁻

[0041] Where each R′R″ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of 12-30 C atoms or derived from tallow, coconut oil or soy,X=Cl or Br, Examples include: didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB),dihexadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride, dihexadecyldimethyl ammoniumbromide, dioctadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride, dieicosyldimethylammonium chloride, didocosyldimethyl ammonium chloride,dicoconutdimethyl ammonium chloride, ditallowdimethyl ammonium bromide(DTAB). Commercially available examples include, but are not limited to:ADOGEN, ARQUAD, TOMAH, VARIQUAT. See also U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,683 Hillet al.,.

[0042] Suitable silicone surfactants include, but are not limited to thepolyalkyleneoxide polysiloxanes having a dimethyl polysiloxanehydrophobic moiety and one or more hydrophilic polyalkylene side chainsand have the general formula:

R¹—(CH₃)₂SiO—[(CH₃)₂SiO]_(a)—[(CH₃)(R¹)SiO]_(b)—Si(CH₃)₂—R¹

[0043] wherein a+b are from about 1 to about 50, preferably from about 3to about 30 , more preferably from about 10 to about 25, and each R¹ isthe same or different and is selected from the group consisting ofmethyl and a poly(ethyleneoxide/propyleneoxide) copolymer group havingthe general formula:

—(CH₂)_(n)O(C₂H₄O)_(c)(C₃H₆O)_(d)R²

[0044] with at least one R¹ being a poly(ethyleneoxide/propyleneoxide)copolymer group, and wherein n is 3 or 4, preferably 3; total c (for allpolyalkyleneoxy side groups) has a value of from 1 to about 100,preferably from about 6 to about 100; total d is from 0 to about 14,preferably from 0 to about 3; and more preferably d is 0; total c+d hasa value of from about 5 to about 150, preferably from about 9 to about100 and each R² is the same or different and is selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and anacetyl group, preferably hydrogen and methyl group. Examples of thesesurfactants may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,562 Hill and U.S. Pat.No. 5,707,613 Hill, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0045] Examples of this type of surfactants are the Silwet® surfactantswhich are available CK Witco, OSi Division, Danbury, Conn.Representative Silwet surfactants are as follows. Name Average MWAverage a + b Average total c L-7608 600 1 9 L-7607 1,000 2 17 L-77 6001 9 L-7605 6,000 20 99 L-7604 4,000 21 53 L-7600 4,000 11 68 L-76575,000 20 76 L-7602 3,000 20 29

[0046] The molecular weight of the polyalkyleneoxy group (R¹) is lessthan or equal to about 10,000. Preferably, the molecular weight of thepolyalkyleneoxy group is less than or equal to about 8,000, and mostpreferably ranges from about 300 to about 5,000. Thus, the values of cand d can be those numbers which provide molecular weights within theseranges. However, the number of ethyleneoxy units (—C₂H₄O) in thepolyether chain (R¹) must be sufficient to render the polyalkyleneoxidepolysiloxane water dispersible or water soluble. If propyleneoxy groupsare present in the polyalkylenoxy chain, they can be distributedrandomly in the chain or exist as blocks. Preferred Silwet surfactantsare L-7600, L-7602, L-7604, L-7605, L-7657, and mixtures thereof.Besides surface activity, polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxane surfactants canalso provide other benefits, such as antistatic benefits, and softnessto fabrics.

[0047] The preparation of polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxanes is well knownin the art. Polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxanes of the present invention canbe prepared according to the procedure set forth in U.S. Pat. No.3,299,112, incorporated herein by reference.

[0048] Another suitable silicone surfactant is SF-1488, which isavailable from GE silicone fluids.

[0049] These and other surfactants suitable for use in combination withthe lipophilic fluid as adjuncts are well known in the art, beingdescribed in more detail in Kirk Othmer's Encyclopedia of ChemicalTechnology, 3rd Ed., Vol. 22, pp. 360-379, “Surfactants and DetersiveSystems”, incorporated by reference herein. Further suitable nonionicdetergent surfactants are generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,929,678, Laughlin et al., issued Dec. 30, 1975, at column 13, line 14through column 16, line 6, incorporated herein by reference.

[0050] The adjunct may also be an antistatic agent. Any suitablewell-known antistatic agents used in laundering and dry cleaning art aresuitable for use in the methods and compositions of the presentinvention. Especially suitable as antistatic agents are the subset offabric softeners which are known to provide antistatic benefits. Forexample those fabric softeners which have a fatty acyl group which hasan iodine value of above 20, such asN,N-di(tallowoyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium methylsulfate.However, it is to be understood that the term antistatic agent is not tobe limited to just this subset of fabric softeners and includes allantistatic agents.

[0051] Although the methods and/or compositions utilized in presentinvention will be described in detail, it should be understood, and oneskilled in the art will recognize, that any compositions, processes,and/or apparatuses capable of carrying out the invention could be used.

[0052] Method

[0053] The method of the present invention is directed to attainingimproved fabric cleaning in a solvent treatment regimen, and includesthe steps of exposing the fabric to a solvent, in accordance with thepresent invention, and optionally, simultaneously and/or sequentially,exposing the fabric to an adjunct solvent and/or an adjunct ingredient,in accordance with the present invention. Optionally but preferably, itmay include the step of exposing the fabric to a polar phase.

[0054] The polar phase may include water, alcohol, or mixtures thereof.If the polar phase does include water, it preferably comprises at leastabout 0.5% water by weight of fabric and at most about 10% water byweight of fabric.

[0055] The adjunct solvent may comprise a linear siloxane, a cyclicsiloxane, or mixtures thereof. The adjunct solvent can be a lipophilicfluid selected from the group consisting essentially ofoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane,dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, and mixtures thereof. The lipophilicfluid may comprise decamethylcyclopentasiloxane. Further, the lipophilicfluid may comprise decamethylcyclopentasiloxane and may be substantiallyfree (i.e., less than 5%, less than 3%, less than 1%, less than 0.5%) ofoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane. Due to the flash points of theaforementioned siloxanes, the method typically occurs at less than about80° C.

[0056] While carrying out the method of the present invention, thefabrics may also be exposed to an emulsifier an/or a surfactant eitherseparately or as a result of being contained within the polar phase, thesolvent, the adjunct solvent and/or the adjunct ingredient. The fabricsmay also be exposed to adjunct ingredients selected from the groupconsisting essentially of enzymes, bleaching systems, surfactants,fabric softeners, perfumes, antibacterial agents, antistatic agents,brighteners, dye fixatives, dye abrasion inhibitors, anti-crockingagents, wrinkle reduction agents, wrinkle resistance agents, soilrelease polymers, sunscreen agents, anti-fade agents, builders,chelants, sudsing agents, composition malodor control agents,composition coloring agents, pH buffers, waterproofing agents, soilrepellency agents, and mixtures thereof. These adjuncts can also beapplied either separately or as a result of being contained within thepolar phase, the solvent and/or the adjunct solvent.

[0057] Composition

[0058] The composition of the present invention is directed to attainingimproved fabric cleaning in a solvent treatment regimen, wherein thecomposition comprises a solvent in accordance with the present inventionand optionally, an adjunct solvent, and optionally an adjunctingredient. Optionally, the composition can further comprise a polarphase.

[0059] If included, the polar phase may include water, alcohol, andmixtures thereof. Also, the polar phase preferably comprises at leastabout 0.1% water by weight of composition and at most about 5% water byweight of composition.

[0060] The adjunct solvent may comprise a linear siloxane, a cyclicsiloxane, or mixtures thereof. The adjunct solvent may be a lipophilicfluid that comprises a lipophilic fluid selected from the groupconsisting essentially of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane,decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, andmixtures thereof. The lipophilic fluid may comprisedecamethylcyclopentasiloxane. Further, the lipophilic fluid may comprisedecamethylcyclopentasiloxane and may be substantially free (i.e., lessthan 5%, less than 3%, less than 1%, less than 0.5%) ofoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane.

[0061] It will be understood that the methods and/or compositions of thepresent invention may be combined with other fabric treatments. Forexample, prior to the application of the lipophilic fluid the fabricarticles may be subjected to the particulate removal method described inco-pending application Serial No. 60/191,965, to Noyes et al., filedMar. 24, 2000, the relevant parts of which are incorporated herein byreference.

[0062] The present invention may be used in a service, such as a drycleaning service, diaper service, uniform cleaning service, orcommercial business, such as a Laundromat, dry cleaner, linen servicewhich is part of a hotel, restaurant, convention center, airport, cruiseship, port facility, casino, or may be used in the home.

[0063] The methods and/or compositions of the present invention may beperformed in an apparatus that is a modified existing apparatus and isretrofitted in such a manner as to conduct the process of the presentinvention in addition to related processes.

[0064] The methods and/or compositions of the present invention may alsobe performed in an apparatus, which is not a modified existing apparatusbut is one specifically built in such a manner so as to conduct theprocess of the present invention or may be added to another apparatus aspart of a solvent and/or adjunct solvent processing system. This wouldinclude all the associated plumbing, such as connection to a chemicaland water supply, and sewerage for waste wash fluids.

[0065] Finally, the methods of the present invention may be performed inan apparatus, which is not a modified existing apparatus but is onespecifically built in such a manner so as to conduct the process of thepresent invention and related processes.

[0066] An apparatus used to carry out the present invention willtypically contain some type of control system. These include electricalsystems, such as, the so-called smart control systems, as well as moretraditional electromechanical systems. The control systems would enablethe user to select the size of the fabric load to be cleaned, the typeof soiling, the extent of the soiling, the time for the cleaning cycle.Alternatively, the user could use pre-set cleaning and/or refreshingcycles, or the apparatus could control the length of the cycle, based onany number of ascertainable parameters. This would be especially truefor electrical control systems. For example, when the collection rate ofsolvent and/or adjunct solvent reaches a steady rate the apparatus couldturn its self off after a fixed period of time, or initiate anotherprocess for the solvent and/or adjunct solvent.

[0067] In the case of electrical control systems, one option is to makethe control device a so-called “smart device”. This could meanincluding, but not limited to, self diagnostic system, load type andcycle selection, linking the machine to the Internet and allowing forthe consumer to start the apparatus remotely, be informed when theapparatus has cleaned a fabric article, or for the supplier to remotelydiagnose problems if the apparatus should break down. Furthermore, ifthe apparatus of the present invention is only a part of a cleaningsystem, the so called “smart system” could be communicating with theother cleaning devices which would be used to complete the remainder ofthe cleaning process, such as a washing machine, and a dryer.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for treating a fabric article in need oftreatment comprising contacting the fabric article with a solvent thathas an ozone reactivity of less than 0.30 gramO₃/gram.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the solvent has an ozone reactivity of lessthan 0.30 gramO₃/gram.
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein thesolvent is selected from the group consisting of carbonate solvents,succinate solvents and mixtures thereof.
 4. The method according toclaim 3 wherein the solvent comprises a carbonate solvent selected fromthe group consisting of methyl carbonates, ethyl carbonates, propylenecarbonates, glycerine carbonates and mixtures thereof.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 3 wherein the solvent comprises a succinate solventselected from the group consisting of dimethyl succinates and mixturesthereof.
 6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method furthercomprises contacting the fabric article with an adjunct solvent.
 7. Themethod according to claim 6 wherein the adjunct solvent comprises alipophilic fluid.
 8. The method according to claim 7 wherein thelipophilic fluid comprises a linear siloxane, a cyclic siloxane andmixtures thereof.
 9. The method according to claim 7 wherein saidlipophilic fluid comprises a lipophilic fluid selected from the groupconsisting of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane,decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, andmixtures thereof.
 10. The method according to claim 7 wherein saidlipophilic fluid comprises decamethylcyclopentasiloxane.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 7 wherein said lipophilic fluid comprisesdecamethylcyclopentasiloxane and is substantially free ofoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane.
 12. The method according to claim 1wherein the method further comprises contacting the fabric article witha polar phase.
 13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said polarphase comprises water.
 14. The method according to claim 13 wherein saidpolar phase comprises at least about 0.1% water by weight of the fabricarticle.
 15. The method according to claim 14 wherein said polar phasecomprises at most about 5% water by weight of the fabric article. 16.The method according to claim 12 wherein said polar phase comprisesalcohol.
 17. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method furthercomprises contacting said fabric article with an emulsifier.
 18. Themethod according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprisescontacting said fabric article with a surfactant.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises contactingsaid fabric article with an adjunct ingredient.
 20. The method accordingto claim 1 wherein the method occurs at less than about 80° C.
 21. Amethod for treating a fabric article in need of treatment comprisingcontacting the fabric article with a solvent that has a vapor pressureof less than or equal to 0.1 mm Hg.
 22. A method for treating a fabricarticle in need of treatment comprising contacting the fabric articlewith a solvent that has a vapor pressure of greater than 0.1 mm Hg, andan ozone reactivity of less than 0.30 gramO₃/gram.
 23. A fabric articletreated by the method of claim
 1. 24. A fabric article treated by themethod of claim
 21. 25. A fabric article treated by the method of claim22.
 26. A fabric article treating apparatus comprising a fabric articletreatment chamber and a source of a solvent selected from the groupconsisting of solvents that have an ozone reactivity of less than 0.30gramO₃/gram, solvents that have a vapor pressure of less than or equalto 0.1 mm Hg, solvents that have a vapor pressure greater than 0.1 mm Hgand an ozone reactivity of less than about 0.30 gramO₃/gram, andmixtures thereof.